Mahesh Bhupathi, Heartbroken By RCB's 6th Defeat In 7 Matches, Asks BCCI To 'Enforce Sale' Of Franchise

Indian tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi, who identifies himself as an RCB fan, has asked BCCI to enforce sale of the franchise.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Virat Kohli reacts after his dismissal during the IPL 2024 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday (April 15).

Source : PTI

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are one team that enjoy a massive fan following. Despite the team having some of the biggest superstars of T20 cricket around the world, the likes of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis among others, the team has failed to win a single title since the inaugural edition of the cash-rich league in 2008. This year too, the side has not lived up to the fans expectation.

The Du Plessis-led side has played 7 matches so far and have only managed a solitary win in them, facing a loss in their six other fixtures. In their most recent fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Bengaluru conceded  the highest team total ever in the history of the tournament as the Orange Army piled on a mountain of runs, posting 287/3. In response, even though RCB posted 262/7- the highest total chasing in a T20, they fell short by 25 runs.

WHAT did we just witness! 5️⃣4️⃣9️⃣ runs scored in an IPL match. 🤯

A little luck and the result could have been different for us. Overall, an amazing fight and we’re proud of the boys for their effort with the bat! 🙌#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2024 #RCBvSRH pic.twitter.com/qmdXwDIMzZ

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) April 15, 2024

India's tennis legend, Mahesh Bhupathi who identifies himself as an RCB fan was deeply hurt by the team's disappointing performance in IPL 2024. Reacting in what seems to be at the spur of the moment, Bhupathi asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to enforce the sale of the franchise so that a new owner can probably help them achieve success. 

"For the sake of the Sport , the IPL, the fans and even the players i think BCCI needs to enforce the Sale of RCB to a New owner who will care to build a sports franchise the way most of the other teams have done so. #tragic," Bhupathi wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Suggested Read | IPL 2024 Points Table, Orange Cap & Purple Cap Holders After RCB vs SRH IPL Match


Here is Bhupathi's post:

 

For the sake of the Sport , the IPL, the fans and even the players i think BCCI needs to enforce the Sale of RCB to a New owner who will care to build a sports franchise the way most of the other teams have done so. #tragic

— Mahesh Bhupathi (@Maheshbhupathi) April 15, 2024

RCB At The 10th Position On The IPL 2024 Points Table

RCB find themselves at the 10th place on the IPL 2024 points table. No other team has 2 points with all others having more points than this franchise. They have also played the most number of matches this season, with them being the only team to have played 7 games so far. This further indicates the mountain they have in front of them, in case they need to qualify for the Playoffs from here.